I have the clear ano 2AA mini magLED version with H-L-flash modes. Its an excellent “muggle” light. High is first, and is very effective. The beam and adjustment is much smoother than the old incan versions and batteries last quite a while for my 6 year old. Plus it seems even tougher than my old incan minimag from when I was a kid (which, as it so happens, is still going strong and sits in deep storage with an MJLED).
Now, if you dislike cool tints stay away. But for somebody who just wants a simple light that works this is a strong choice.
Interestingly, the LED seems to be contained behind a thin metal shield and I haven’t even thought about an LED swap in this one, but depending on how that switch assembly is removed it may be very easy… or not.
Yeah, it’s a bit surprising. It’s kind of like people on a battery forum enthusing about how much they like Ultrafire batteries. I guess it’s nostalgia. I kind of get it, since I still keep my D and C incan mags. I haven’t used them in a long time, but I have no desire to toss them either. But, maglite and flashaholics just don’t seem to go together anymore, so I don’t really understand the hype. Perhaps it’s a made-in-USA thing?
Yup, that’s a much better choice. Pretty-much anything is a better choice than mag’s horrible tint, beam, and flakey switch. I’ve always thought they were butt-ugly, too, but that’s just personal preference.
Nice review chicken-D.
I don’t like the minimag loosen for ON. Its far too easy to accidentally turn on. I have only owned one 2AA and I got tired of killing batteries in my bag / backpack.
I used to love their traditional flashlights back in the day. I held on to them well into the LED revolution. I hated the early cool white alternatives. Then I got the TerraLUX Lightstar 80. I finally had an LED flashlight that looked good and wasn't harsh on my eyes. It was an easy replacement for my comparable Maglite. As I dove deeper into the world of warmer or higher-CRI LED flashlights, my older Maglites just ended up collecting dust.
When I finally got around to trying LED Maglites, I was not impressed. When I saw their warmer Spectrum series, I got excited to try again. Then I bought one and it was a major disappointment. It was both vastly inferior and more expensive than lights I already had from Convoy, Sofirn, and Jaxman. It even let me down on what I'd come to expect from Maglite. The beam range from twisting seemed much more restricted and it was easy to trigger an accidental mode change. I just plain hated it. It really made me sad because twenty to thirty years ago, I really loved Maglite. I swore by their products and used them exclusively for outdoor activities, caving, etc. Now, I have no use for them.
There is a difference between a classic car that’s no longer in production in pristine condition that generally ball parks for $100k+ to a generic maglite that you can still buy with incandescent bulbs cause maglite still produces and sells them for outrageous prices for an incandescent light.
Replace the Jag with anything vintage that you can buy for a couple quid down the local charity shop, then.
Alternatively, if it’s the substandard aspect of currently available overpriced brand-name stuff, just take a wander through high street fashion shops… Maglite are basically like Barbour jackets.
I'm a flashaholic and I have other types of lights just so you all will know.
Most of you must have tried the led mags early on. They have gotten better and the twist switch might need cleaning with some contact cleaner once in a blue moon and also behind the spring on the tailcap. I have a lot of led maglites and they seem more neutral to me than cool white. The newest ones though are more cool. I don't think the general public cares about that like I do. It would surprise you what a ML25LT can do with only 192 lumens. The candella of the hotspot is high and the spill is well balanced. If they weren't made in the high tax state of california they would be cheaper. I think they are resonable for what you get though. All those other lights would be more expensive if they were made in America. Thank you chicken drumstick for the video.
The contact point on the switch that causes all the problems (besides behind the tailcap spring) is where the switch makes contact with the body. That can be sprayed from the end where the batteries go. I know other lights are made different with less moving parts and all contact parts are soldered. Mags are mags though and you either like them or you don't. I don't agree with the company owner's sueing practices though.